7 Days private safari: tarangire’ serengeti migration’ngorongoro and lake manyara.

Tour Overview

A 7-day private safari through Tarangire, Serengeti (Migration), Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara provides an incredible opportunity to explore Tanzania’s diverse wildlife and landscapes. You’ll experience everything from the vast savannahs of Serengeti to the lush greenery of Lake Manyara and the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. Here’s a detailed itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha and Transfer to Lake Manyara National Park

Morning:

• Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO): Upon arrival, your private guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha for a short rest.

Afternoon:

• Lunch in Arusha: Have a light lunch in Arusha before heading out on safari.
• Drive to Lake Manyara: After lunch, drive to Lake Manyara National Park, about 2 hours from Arusha. Lake Manyara is known for its scenic beauty, flamingo-filled lake, and tree-climbing lions.

Evening:

• Evening Game Drive in Lake Manyara: Upon arrival, head out for your first game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. Look out for the famous tree-climbing lions, as well as elephants, giraffes, zebras, and many bird species.

• Check-in at Lodge or Camp: After the game drive, check into your lodge or camp for a comfortable stay.

• Dinner and Overnight: Enjoy dinner and relax for the night.

Day 2: Lake Manyara to Tarangire National Park

Morning:

• Early Morning Game Drive: After breakfast, head out for a morning game drive in Lake Manyara. Explore more of the park, spotting animals around the lake and in the forest areas. You’ll likely see wildebeest, impalas, baboons, and various bird species.

Late Morning:

• Drive to Tarangire National Park: After your morning drive, head south for Tarangire National Park, a 2-3 hour drive. Tarangire is famous for its large herds of elephants, as well as its iconic baobab trees.

Afternoon:

• Lunch at Lodge or Camp: Arrive in Tarangire, check into your lodge, and enjoy a delicious lunch.

• Afternoon Game Drive in Tarangire: After lunch, embark on an afternoon game drive. Tarangire is one of the best places to see elephants, and you’ll also encounter giraffes, zebras, lions, and more.

Evening:

• Return to Lodge for Dinner: After the game drive, return to your accommodation for dinner.
• Overnight at Lodge or Camp: Enjoy a relaxing night in the heart of Tarangire.

Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive in Tarangire National Park

Morning:

• Early Morning Game Drive: Start your day with an early morning game drive to catch the wildlife during their most active hours. This is a great opportunity to spot lions, leopards, and other predators.

Late Morning:

• Continued Game Drive: Continue exploring different areas of Tarangire, including its wetlands, savannahs, and woodlands. You’ll see large herds of elephants, wildebeests, buffalo, and a variety of antelope species.

Afternoon:

• Lunch in the Park: Have a packed lunch at a designated picnic spot in Tarangire to enjoy the scenery and wildlife around you.

• Afternoon Game Drive: Continue your game drive in the park’s various regions, looking for elusive predators or other animals you may have missed earlier.

Evening:

• Return to Lodge for Dinner: After a full day of game viewing, return to your lodge for dinner.
• Overnight in Tarangire: Enjoy another peaceful night in Tarangire.

Day 4: Tarangire to Serengeti (Migration Area)

Morning:

• Breakfast and Departure: After breakfast, depart from Tarangire and begin your journey to Serengeti National Park. The drive to Serengeti is approximately 4-5 hours, passing through the beautiful Tanzanian countryside and the Ngorongoro Highlands.

Afternoon:

• Arrival and Check-in at Serengeti Lodge: Arrive in the Serengeti, one of the world’s most famous wildlife parks. Check into your lodge or camp.

• Lunch at Lodge: Enjoy a leisurely lunch before heading out for an afternoon game drive.

Evening:

• Afternoon Game Drive in Serengeti: Begin your exploration of the Serengeti with a game drive. Depending on the time of year, you may witness the Great Migration, where hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebras move in search of food and water.

• Return to Lodge for Dinner: After the game drive, head back to your accommodation for dinner.

• Overnight in Serengeti: Relax at your lodge or camp and prepare for another exciting day of game viewing.

Day 5: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti (Migration Area)

Morning:

• Early Morning Game Drive: Start early with a game drive to see the wildlife in the cool morning hours. You’ll have the chance to see big cats such as lions and leopards, as well as elephants, giraffes, and antelopes.

Late Morning:

• Witness the Great Migration: If you’re visiting during the migration season (typically June to October), you’ll have the opportunity to witness the dramatic river crossings of the wildebeest, zebra, and gazelles as they navigate the Mara River. This is one of the most iconic wildlife spectacles on Earth.

Afternoon:

• Lunch in the Bush: Enjoy a packed picnic lunch in the Serengeti, surrounded by wildlife and stunning views of the plains.

• Afternoon Game Drive: After lunch, continue your exploration of Serengeti, taking in different areas of the park. Whether it’s large herds of elephants or a lone cheetah stalking prey, the Serengeti always offers exciting wildlife sightings.

Evening:

• Return to Lodge for Dinner: After a rewarding day of game drives, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight rest.

Day 6: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater

Morning:

• Early Breakfast and Departure: After an early breakfast, depart Serengeti and head towards the Ngorongoro Crater. The journey takes about 3-4 hours, passing through beautiful landscapes and villages.

Late Morning:

• Arrival and Check-in at Lodge: Check into your lodge on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. Many lodges offer breathtaking views of the crater floor.

Afternoon:

• Lunch at the Lodge: Enjoy lunch and relax with spectacular views of the crater floor.

Evening:

• Optional Afternoon Activity: If time permits, you can go for a short visit to the local Maasai village or take a brief walk around the crater’s rim for scenic views.

• Dinner and Overnight at Lodge: Return to your lodge for dinner and rest before your full day inside the Ngorongoro Crater tomorrow.

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater – Full-Day Game Drive and Return to Arusha

Morning:

• Descend into Ngorongoro Crater: After breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full-day game drive. The crater is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the Big Five (lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, and leopards).
  • Enjoy the game drive, looking for rhinos, flamingos at the soda lake, hippos, and large herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelles.

Afternoon:

• Picnic Lunch in the Crater: Enjoy a packed lunch at one of the designated picnic spots inside the crater.

• Continue Exploring the Crater: After lunch, continue your game drive and explore the rest of the crater floor. The diverse landscape, including lakes, grasslands, and forests, is home to a variety of wildlife.

Late Afternoon:

• Return to Arusha: After a rewarding day of wildlife viewing, head back to Arusha for about 3-4 hours by road.

Evening:

• Arrival in Arusha: You’ll be dropped off at your hotel or directly at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home or onward travels.

Additional Information & Tips:

• Best Time to Visit:

  • Great Migration in Serengeti: Best witnessed from June to October.
  • Ngorongoro Crater: A great destination year-round, though the dry season (June to October) offers optimal wildlife viewing.
  • Lake Manyara and Tarangire: Both are great year-round, but the dry season (June to October) is ideal for spotting wildlife.

• Packing Tips: Light, neutral-colored clothing (khaki, beige), a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a camera with a good zoom lens for wildlife photography.

• Health and Safety: Ensure you have the necessary vaccinations (including yellow fever if required) and carry malaria prophylaxis. Drink bottled water and stay hydrated.